Support column for automobile wheel suspension assembly

Abstract

A support column provided in an automobile body structure for accommodating a rear wheel suspension assembly comprises a column structure rigidly mounted on an apron forming a part of the body structure and defining a wheel housing. This column structure is also rigidly connected to an inner panel of the body structure and project generally upwardly from the apron for accommodating the wheel suspension assembly having one end connected to and supported by a support plate. This support plate has a bracket portion to which one end of the suspension assembly is connected and a brace portion extending downwardly towards the inner panel.

I claim: 
     
       1. A support column for an automobile body structure for accommodating a wheel suspension assembly for a rear wheel, the automobile body structure having a wheel housing generally encircling halfway the perimeter of the rear wheel, the body structure including an inner panel extending above the wheel housing, said support column comprising: a column structure for being rigidly mounted on the wheel housing and projecting generally upwardly therefrom in a direction away from the wheel, said column structure including a major upright wall and a pair of opposite side walls protruding from respective opposite side edges of said major upright wall so as to terminate in rigid and non-separable contact with a portion of the inner panel above the wheel housing;   a plate means for connecting the column structure to the inner panel, said plate means connecting said side walls together in spaced relation at a position adjacent the inner panel and on one side of said side walls opposite to the wheel housing; and   a support plate means having a bracket portion rigidly mounted on said column structure for connection with the suspension assembly and a brace portion having an end for rigid contact with the inner panel, extending downwardly from said bracket portion so as to diverge away from said major upright wall and terminating at said end.   
     
     
       2. A body structure for an automobile having a floor panel, for accommodating a wheel suspension system for a rear wheel, comprising: an inner panel having a lower portion and an upper major portion above said lower portion for extending upwardly of the rear wheel;   an apron for rigid connection to the floor panel, rigidly connected to said lower portion of said inner panel; said apron and said lower portion of said inner panel forming a wheel housing for generally encircling halfway the perimeter of the rear wheel;     a column structure rigidly mounted on said wheel housing and projecting generally upwardly therefrom in a direction away from the wheel, said column structure including a major upright wall and a pair of opposite side walls protruding form respective opposite side edges of said major upright wall and terminating in rigid and non-separable contact with said major portion of said inner panel above said wheel housing;   each of said side walls having a flange projecting laterally outward therefrom and positioned on a side of the respective side wall facing away from the other side wall, said column structure being mounted on said wheel housing with said flanges of the respective side walls rigidly secured to said apron;   a plate means connecting said side walls together in spaced relation at a position adjacent said inner panel and on one side of said side walls opposite to said wheel housing, said plate means also connecting the column structure to said inner panel; and   a support plate means having a bracket portion rigidly mounted on said column structure for connection with the suspension assembly and a brace portion extending downwardly from said bracket portion so as to diverge away from said major upright wall and terminating in rigid contact with a portion of said inner panel.   
     
     
       3. A body structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said lower portion of the inner panel extends laterally outwardly of the body structure and wherein said brace portion has a free end opposite to said bracket portion, said free end extending downwardly through said apron and rigidly secured to said lower portion of said inner panel from below. 
     
     
       4. A body structure as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein one end of said major upright wall adjacent the wheel has a flange formed integrally therewith for being rigidly secured to the floor panel. 
     
     
       5. A body structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein said plate means comprises a pair of flap members having respective free edge portions, formed integrally with respective ones of said side walls, said respective free edge portions of said flap members being rigidly connected to each other. 
     
     
       6. A body structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein said plate means comprises a single plate member having its opposite ends rigidly secured to said respective ones of said side walls, said plate member having an upright flange rigidly secured to said inner panel. 
     
     
       7. A body structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of said side walls has a laterally outwardly extending flange at a position opposite to said major upright wall, said flanges of said respective ones of said side walls being rigidly secured to said inner panel. 
     
     
       8. A body structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein said bracket portion has a peripheral flange extending outwardly therefrom at right angles to said bracket portion, said peripheral flange of said bracket portion being rigidly secured to said side walls and said major upright wall. 
     
     
       9. A body structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein said brace portion has its opposite side edges formed integrally with respective flanges, said flanges of said brace portion being rigidly secured to said respective ones of said side walls. 
     
     
       10. A body structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of said side walls has a laterally outwardly extending flange at a position opposite to said major upright wall, said flanges of said respective ones of said side walls being rigidly secured to said inner panel. 
     
     
       11. A body structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein said bracket portion has a peripheral flange extending outwardly therefrom at right angles to said bracket portion, said peripheral flange of said bracket portion being rigidly secured to said side walls and said major upright wall. 
     
     
       12. A body structure as claimed in claim 11, wherein said brace portion has its opposite side edges formed integrally with respective flanges, said flanges of said brace portion being rigidly secured to said respective ones of said side walls.